Re: Silverton Northern Revival . . . (link)

Following the SN grade on Google Earth it can be seen beside the Animas River from the Revival project's base up to Howardsville. It looks to be in reasonable shape and could be relaid as a railroad quite easily. Arrastra Gulch is quite a distance away from Silverton however, and it would be better to extend the line back down into the town, especially to link it up with the D&SNGRR as it could then provide a transport link from that to the Old Hundred Mine, which would clearly benefit that attraction. While it looks as if Highway 4 (the lower level road) in Cunningham Gulch is built on the grade of the SN branch to the Old Hundred Mine, would it be worth exploring the possibility of shutting that road to vehicle traffic and turning it back into a railroad, allowing trains to reach the mine itself rather than stop at Howardsville some distance below it?

I am aware that Al Harper objects to the SN revival project as he regards it as threat to his business, but why I don't understand, as it would provide an extra attraction in Silverton in its own right, while also linking the D&SNGRR to another attraction, potentially boosting Harper's business through joint ticketing for example.

Regarding motive power for the SN, if Harper could be won over then RGS #42, which is a small 2-8-0, could potentially be used if it was restored to service. Or, if Stathi Pappas were amenable, his White Pass & Yukon #61, which is effectively a larger version of Silverton Northern 2-8-0 #34 (the 2 locos may well have shared the Skagway roundhouse during WW2), could be used instead.

Just my thoughts,

Chris